The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough against international drug trafficking, arresting a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, a PhD student accused of masterminding a cocaine syndicate, and several other suspects in coordinated operations across Nigeria.
The operations also led to the interception of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels and cartons of herbal drinks, while thousands of capsules of Tramadol hidden inside vehicle fuel tanks, methamphetamine and large quantities of cannabis were recovered.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, arrested Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, a 67-year-old Nigerian-British caregiver, on June 28, 2026, as she attempted to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
A search of her luggage uncovered 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 13 kilograms, carefully moulded to resemble fresh plantain bunches and concealed among food items. The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.
In another major operation, NDLEA operatives arrested Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
His arrest followed the interception of 5.80 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the double walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Investigations led to the earlier arrest of four suspects in Lagos, including a cargo agent, a driver, a trader at ASPANDA Market and another accomplice who supplied the cartons. The intelligence trail eventually led operatives to Onyeka, who was arrested while hiding in Aziora village, Ozubulu, and identified as the alleged mastermind of the trafficking network.
The agency also intensified its operations across several states.
In Taraba State, operatives arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari after discovering 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks.
In Kaduna State, two suspects—Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50—were arrested with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid in Gwantu.
Similarly, Francis Ifara Eja, 65, was arrested in Ebonyi State with 231.7 kilograms of skunk.
In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives apprehended 75-year-old Alhaji Babani, recovering 15 kilograms of skunk from him in Kurgwi, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area.
Another intelligence-led operation in Gombe State led to the arrest of Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
Beyond enforcement, the agency sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes held in schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities across the country.
Educational outreach activities were conducted at Girls Secondary School, Abagana in Anambra State, Government Technical College, Obe in Enugu State, Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, and the FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga in Kano State.
Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), praised the commands for combining aggressive drug enforcement with sustained public enlightenment, urging operatives nationwide to continue raising the standard of their operations in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
